Activities

Mentoring approaches are varied and draw on many different skills and aspects of other activities.

The focus must be on empowering the young person to take on responsibility for their learning. Typically mentoring incorporates elements of assessment, tutoring, coaching, counselling and advising. Actions are agreed with the young person, teachers and family.

Regular review meetings with the student should be incorporated to ensure they feel a full part of the process. Appropriately managed endings are key to sustained improvements. Main activities include:

• A structured mentoring approach with regular meetings and reviews
• Active listening
• Being an active part of the school community
• Exploring issues through appropriate mediums
• Problem solving
• Helping with literacy, numeracy and other subjects
• Being impartial
• Assessing students' needs
• Advocating on the young person’s behalf
• Liaising with teachers and other members of staff
• Referring to appropriate specialists, such as a lead professional
• Talking to families
• Discussing issues with groups of students through circle time and clubs
• Challenging disaffection
• Acting as a link between the pastoral and academic
• Supporting aspects of the curriculum, particularly PSHE and Citizenship
• Having fun!